General Science/Everyday Science MCQs
Topic Notes: General Science/Everyday Science
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
41
Which group of reptiles is the only one with a four-chambered heart?
Answer:
Crocodilians
Crocodiles and alligators possess a heart structure similar to birds and mammals, allowing for complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
42
What type of mating system is most likely to evolve when offspring require high levels of care from both parents?
Answer:
Monogamy
Monogamy is common in birds because nestlings often cannot survive without constant protection and food from two parents.
43
Which of the following is a characteristic of 'Cnidarians'?
Answer:
Gastrovascular cavity with a single opening
Cnidarians have a central digestive sac where digestion occurs; waste is expelled through the same opening used for ingestion.
44
The tendency for animals to decrease their response to a neutral stimulus is:
Answer:
Habituation
Habituation prevents 'sensory overload' by allowing the brain to filter out non-threatening and non-rewarding background information.
45
What is the primary sensory organ used by sharks to detect electrical fields of prey?
Answer:
Ampullae of Lorenzini
The Ampullae of Lorenzini are specialized electroreceptors. This 'sixth sense' allows sharks to find hidden prey by detecting the weak electrical impulses generated by muscle contractions.
46
Which invertebrate group has a 'closed' circulatory system and 'hearts'?
Answer:
Earthworms
Earthworms have a sophisticated closed circulatory system with five pairs of aortic arches (pseudo-hearts) that pump blood through dorsal and ventral vessels.
47
What is 'Reciprocal Altruism'?
Answer:
Altruistic behavior between unrelated individuals with the expectation of a return favor in the future
Common in social animals like primates and vampire bats, this behavior is favored if individuals interact repeatedly and can recognize and punish 'cheaters'.
48
Which class of fish has a 'swim bladder' for buoyancy control?
Answer:
Osteichthyes
Bony fish (Osteichthyes) have a gas-filled organ called a swim bladder. By adjusting the gas volume, they can maintain their depth without constant swimming.
49
The 'Handicap Principle' suggests that elaborate traits (like a peacock's tail) evolve because they:
Answer:
Are honest signals of high genetic quality because only healthy males can survive with the handicap
Sexual selection often favors traits that are costly to produce, signaling to females that the male possesses superior genes to overcome such a burden.
50
Which phylum has 'collar cells' (choanocytes)?
Answer:
Porifera
Choanocytes line the internal chambers of sponges. Their flagella create a water current, and their collars trap food particles from the water.